M4 Mac Mini vs Pro: MOTHER OF ALL STRESS TESTS! 🥵 Logic Pro, Blender, After Effects, Llama LLMs

Summary

In this video, the speaker evaluates the performance of the Mac Mini M4 Pro, focusing on its strengths and limitations for tasks like video editing, photography, and 3D modeling. While the Mac Mini excels in portability and handling intensive software like Final Cut Pro, storage remains a concern, with the base model’s 256GB quickly becoming insufficient. External storage solutions are recommended. The speaker also reflects on the dilemma of upgrading from an M1 Max MacBook Pro, contemplating whether to switch to a desktop or stick with a laptop. Overall, the M4 Pro offers strong performance for creative professionals, but users should plan for external storage.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Mac Mini with M4 Pro chip offers excellent performance for demanding tasks like video editing and 3D modeling, but the base model's storage may be limiting for heavy users.
• 😀 The lack of an SD card slot on the Mac Mini is a notable inconvenience for photographers and videographers who frequently use SD cards for media transfers.
• 😀 The Mac Mini can be made portable with accessories like a Bluetooth keyboard/mouse and a Thunderbolt dock, but it requires external storage for larger projects.
• 😀 External SSDs, such as the Lexar NVMe 4TB, provide an affordable and efficient solution for expanding storage without paying Apple’s high prices for internal upgrades.
• 😀 The Mac Mini's base storage of 256GB is insufficient for many users, especially those who rely on large files or multiple applications, as the OS itself takes up significant space.
• 😀 For heavy video editing workflows, the Mac Mini may struggle with large projects, with the base model taking much longer to export large video files compared to higher-end Macs.
• 😀 Using Final Cut Pro with complex projects (e.g., lots of plugins and effects) is feasible on the Mac Mini, but the export time can be slow, especially for lengthy videos.
• 😀 After Effects puts a significant load on the system, with the Mac Mini utilizing all cores during rendering. It can handle smaller projects, but larger After Effects tasks might slow down.
• 😀 If you're working on heavy workflows, relying on external storage solutions is critical to avoid running out of space on the base model Mac Mini.
• 😀 The reviewer suggests that spending money on Apple's internal storage upgrades may not be worth it, as you’ll likely run out of space quickly; investing in reliable external storage is a more cost-effective solution.
• 😀 Despite its small size and portability, the Mac Mini is a powerful workstation that can handle professional creative tasks, but users need to be aware of its storage limitations and consider external solutions for expansion.

Q & A

What is the main downside of the Mac Mini's port configuration for photographers and videographers?

The lack of an SD card slot is a significant downside for photographers and videographers who often rely on SD cards for quick transfers. This omission makes the device less convenient for on-the-go photo or video work.

How does the Mac Mini's portability compare to other systems?

Despite lacking an SD card slot, the Mac Mini is quite portable. The speaker demonstrated traveling with a Mac Mini, Bluetooth mouse, and keyboard, and using a Thunderbolt dock for external storage. This makes it a functional solution for those needing portability, even with demanding tasks.

What is the speaker's preferred solution for expanding storage on the Mac Mini?

The speaker recommends using external SSDs, particularly the Lexar NVMe and Acasis enclosures, as a cost-effective and reliable way to expand storage. These external drives provide a flexible, efficient solution for users needing more space.

Why is relying on Apple's internal storage options not ideal for heavy users of Mac Mini?

Apple’s internal storage is expensive and offers limited capacity. For instance, the base model has only 256GB, which leaves around 220GB of usable space after accounting for the OS and user profile. This can quickly fill up, especially for users with large files or demanding applications, making external storage a better long-term solution.

What storage solutions does the speaker suggest for users working with large media files?

For users working with large media files, the speaker recommends using Thunderbolt 4 enclosures for portable SSDs or Thunderbolt hubs like the CalDigit dock. These solutions offer faster transfer speeds and additional ports for better connectivity and storage management.

What type of video editing work did the speaker test with the Mac Mini M4 Pro, and what were the results?

The speaker tested video editing with Final Cut Pro, using a project with a mix of CPU, GPU, and media engine tasks, including heavy effects and transitions. The Mac Mini M4 Pro performed well for most tasks, but exporting larger projects took longer compared to more powerful models like the Mac Studio or MacBook Pro.

What performance differences were noted when running After Effects on the Mac Mini M4 Pro?

After Effects showed slower performance on the Mac Mini M4 Pro, particularly with complex templates that pushed the CPU and GPU. The Mac Mini completed a test project in just under 13 minutes, with the fans ramping up significantly. This indicates that After Effects is quite demanding and might not run as smoothly as on higher-end machines.

How does the Mac Mini M4 Pro handle multitasking during video editing or rendering?

The Mac Mini M4 Pro can handle multitasking fairly well. For smaller projects, users can export videos while continuing to work on other tasks. However, for larger projects, such as long video exports or complex After Effects renders, the system might struggle with extended multitasking and can become sluggish or prone to crashes.

What are the main considerations when deciding between the base Mac Mini M4 Pro and more powerful systems?

The key considerations include the type of tasks you plan to do and how much storage you need. For users focused on heavy video editing, 3D modeling, or large media projects, the base Mac Mini M4 Pro might struggle with export times and storage. In such cases, a more powerful machine, like the MacBook Pro or Mac Studio, might be a better fit.

What does the speaker suggest for users with limited internal storage on the Mac Mini?

The speaker suggests relying on external storage solutions, like portable SSDs and Thunderbolt docks, instead of paying for additional internal storage from Apple. These external options are more affordable and provide greater flexibility, helping users future-proof their setup.